7th July 2183, TCS Normandy
Shepard was lying on a hospital bed, in the ship's medical ward. Thankfully the lights weren't too bright, so he easily blinked 3 times and rubbed his head:
"Gaah, were is that dirty cocksucker who spiked my drink? I will smash his goddamn teeth..."He muttered and checked himself for injuries, finding none. He looked next to him and saw the resting form of Nihlus to his left. His armour was gone and his head was bandaged up, a couple of his fringes missing, the heart monitor showed that his condition was stable. A minute later, he woke up too:
"Uuuggh, I feel like a run down public toilet, oh commander, you're here too?" He asked:
"Just discovered than my body has an allergy to exploding beacons." Shepard humoured, the turian however didn't like what he heard:
"WHAT? You lost the beacon? DON'T YOU HAVE ANY IDEA..." He asked in disbelief:
"Hey, chill the fuck out bandana head. That bloody thing malfunctioned and nearly killed me. Filled my brain with some sort of wacky vision before exploding. Also, you're welcome. I'm the reason you aren't a rotting, stinking carcass right now." Shepard retorted. Their little debate was put to a halt by doctor Chakwas, Ashley, Kaidan and Leroy, who entered in a hurry:
"Told you I could hear them." Jenkins, who got in first, happily said. There was a big swelling on his head, but he didn't seem to mind:
"Good to finally see you both awake. How do you feel?" The doctor asked:
"He says he feels like a run down public toilet. Pretty sure there's a good story behind it..." Shepard quipped, earning a glare from Nihlus:
"... as for me, I feel a bit dizzy, but I think I'm fine." He finished and sat on the bed:
"Indeed commander. You are physically healthy, but when you were out, I detected abnormal brain activity and rapid eye movement. Both signs associated with intense dreaming." The doctor gave her diagnosis. Shepard shook his head:
"No, not dreaming. That beacon transmitted some kind of... vision before exploding. I couldn't make much sense out of it." He replied:
"I should add this to my report. Now for Nihlus, the bullet was laced with a deadly toxin and nearly hit your brain. Just a little closer and you would end up dead. I gave you an antidote, but I suggest rest until we reach the citadel. Captain Anderson is currently talking with the council." Chakwas recommended and left. Awkward silence ensued for a few seconds:
"Not to put pressure to our turian guest, but who is Saren and why did he try to kill you? What was he doing on Eden Prime in the first place?" Ashley asked:
"Yeah, you look like you know each other, better spill before the captain comes." Kaidan added. All looked to the turian expectantly. Nihlus lowered his eyes:
"Saren Arterius, the most decorated spectre of the citadel. He is... was... my friend and mentor. I am sorry, but I have no idea what happened or why he did what he did. He always resented humanity, but he would never do something so extreme." He answered:
"He was likely after the beacon, or, most likely, what was inside the beacon. He wouldn't plant all these bombs otherwise." Kaidan concluded:
"Why would he need that... whatever that vision is? I can't even make sense out of it. Pretty sure he is unable too. I'm not an expert, but these things were designed for protheans so only they could understand them." Shepard asked:
"I want to know why Saren invaded Eden Prime. If he really is a spectre, he could easily access the beacon in the citadel after we secured it. Why stir so much trouble and attack my home, why go rogue?" Jenkins spoke his mind:
"What is bugging me is how he got the goddamn geth of all races to work for him. Also that black ship, where did it come from?" Ashley asked:
"Alright lads, settle down, enough brain storming for now. Let's wait until the captain comes. With a bit of luck, we'll get more answers in the citadel." Shepard quieted down the squad. Soon, Anderson came and asked for a detailed report. The squad gave a condensed version of their previous discussion. The captain knew about Saren Arterius and his reputation, but admitted that attacking a human world and aligning with the geth was insanity on a scale unmatched by his previous assignments:
"You have all done well in the mission. Commander, come in my office when ready, there is something we need to discuss." Anderson ordered and left. The rest looked at the commander as he soon followed. In the captain's cabin, Anderson locked all communication devices and, as Shepard got inside, locked the door:
"You already know about Saren, right?" The captain pointedly asked:
"No captain, I kept it in check, I know nothing." Shepard shook his head:
"Alright, the truth then. About a decade ago, the board of directors wanted to put a human as spectre. Long story short, they chose me. The bad news, my evaluator was none other but..." Anderson paused and looked at Shepard:
"Saren fucking Arterius?" The commander added:
"Exactly. Saren mother fucking Arterius. The council ordered us to kill or capture a rogue human scientist. We were supposed to go in quiet, but that son of a bitch blew up a refinery and killed at least 50 people along with the target. Of course, he blamed me, told the council that I triggered an alarm and forced him to use explosives... Fucking asshole." The captain was fuming:
"So you're saying we have to bury that bastard as soon as possible." Shepard commented:
"That too, but be careful Douglas. That cock fucker is ruthless as all hell and then some. He would kill his own family in order to complete his mission. Now he has an army of geth under his command and already assaulted a human colony. Who knows what he plans next." Anderson warned:
"Don't worry captain. Saren is a dead turian walking, just needs to take a white hot bullet in the head and..." Shepard stopped talking and rubbed his chin, a smile forming on his lips:
"... captain, did you inform the council about the health of Nihlus?" The commander asked:
"Yeah, told them he was shot with a poisoned bullet and needed emergency surgery, why?" The captain asked curiously:
"Just want to see if Saren believes in ghosts, can you tell the councillors that Nihlus died?" Shepard asked, still smiling. Realisation dawned too Anderson:
"You want to play with Saren's psychology, right? Serves him right, do we have any stealth suits?" He asked, not smiling, but certainly in a better mood:
"Does the bear shit in the woods?" Came the answer:
"I'd love to see the show. But in all seriousness now, that black ship we saw in the footage. If it really is what I think it is, we'll have our work cut out for us." Anderson answered, slightly deflated:
"That thing will join the scrap heap along with Saren come hell or high water captain." Shepard said:
"Excellent, you can go now. Oh and Shepard, this is your first time to ever visit the citadel, try to make a good first impression." The captain warned, highlighting the word good:
"Unless someone tries to fuck with me, I will be a proper saint." Shepard saluted. The captain nodded and dismissed him.
A few hours later, Serpent nebula, citadel in range...
"This is TCS Normandy calling coalition command post, requesting docking permission." Joker announced:
"You are clear to land Normandy, docking bay 422. Welcome to the citadel." A mechanical voice answered the pilot. It took some serious clout to allow the presence of AI's within the citadel, and even those had to be installed in humanoid mobile platforms, dressed in artificial epidermis, in order to avoid causing panic among the organic residents:
"That's the Destiny's Ascension, the flagship of the citadel fleet." Kaidan started the conversation:
"Whoa, it's bigger than I expected." Jenkins added:
"I think it's far too elegant. Give me shark noses anytime." Ashley commented:
"I believe it's just an over glorified bullet sponge. I mean seriously, who puts so many windows on a dreadnought? It's supposed to be a warship, not a cruise boat." Shepard asked. Then they saw the coalition fleet which was protecting the citadel. Instead of dreadnoughts, they posted 3 strike craft carriers, 12 cruisers and multiple assault destroyers and frigates. The most distinct feature of the terran navy was that, unlike the other races, didn't follow a specific design type, but 3, as homage to the 3 powers. The allied vessels, painted in black and blue, had elongated trapeze fuselages. The soviets still used cylindrical shapes and olive green colours, along with the shark mouth, bear badge or hammer and sickle decals as decorations. The imperial preferred hexagonal ships, painted in white and orange, decorated with banners of various Japanese symbols and, of course, the imperial flag. This diversity somehow became the signature trademark of the coalition navy, rendering the need for standardisation obsolete, keeping a sense of uniqueness and pride among the crews. The Normandy was designed with the allied template and slightly altered to look like a bird of prey, courtesy of the turian engineers. After docking, captain Anderson, commander Shepard, lieutenant Alenko, gunnery chief Williams and corporal Jenkins, disembarked the ship and headed straight to the presidium and the human embassy. Originally, the council didn't want the embassy installed there, as humanity wasn't a council race. Ambassador Udina gave them an alternative, building a huge building in the wards, filled to the brim with turrets, anti air emplacements, gunships, heavy tanks and an entire regiment of heavily armed troops to protect and patrol the surrounding area. Suffice to say, the council dropped the argument near instantly.
Citadel presidium, human embassy...
"I told you before Anderson, your history with Saren is not going to support our case at all. Apart from that dock worker's testimony, we have no tangible proof that he is the one behind the attack. The council will not give up their top operative that easily." Udina tried to convince the captain:
"What are we supposed to do then? Wait until another attack occurs?" Anderson shot back. Clearly, he didn't like the ambassador all that much, and the feeling was mutual:
"Calm down. Commander Shepard, I have some leads that can help, thanks to the CISP. C-Sec is conducting its own investigation, but spectre records are sealed, so they have yet to turn anything useful. There is however a turian detective named Vakarian, Garrus Vakarian. He is the lead investigator and has a personal vendetta against Saren. He really wants to prove his guilt and from what I've heard, he found something incriminating. Talk to executor Pallin, he likely knows where you can find him." Udina instructed. Shepard nodded and spoke to Anderson:
"What do you think about it captain?" He asked for advice:
"This is a matter of galactic importance. You could earn some favor by working with other species, maybe even recruiting
him." Anderson recommended:
"Oh, I get it. In the end, I get to lead a multi species task force after a rogue spectre and his army of geth while you happily rest in your apartment, right?" Douglas replied, smirking sarcastically. Normally, Anderson would chew anyone who disrespected him until his brain melted, but this was a unique case:
"Always put the subordinates to take care of the shit moping. Happy hunting commander, try not to get killed." Anderson answered and shooed him away:
"Right away captain." Shepard saluted:
"Good, now Udina. If you have a coffee machine and you are not too busy, get me a double espresso, black please." The captain ordered. The squad left, leaving a pretty much pissed off ambassador to call for his assistant for a coffee. The 4 soldiers first roamed around the presidium a bit to enjoy the view. Then, they spent some more time watching the various shops and embassies, making fun of Avina, the citadel VI, and settling the dispute between a hanar preacher and a C-Sec officer, relatively peacefully. They eventually reached the executor's office, a conversation could be heard from inside:
"Please executor, I just need some more time, I am certain that Saren is dirty." A turian voice pleaded:
"There is only 1 hour remaining until the council meeting. What do you hope to find in such a short time?" An older turian voice, definitely belonging to that of executor Pallin, asked:
"Saren's definitely hiding something. Stall the meeting and I will get results." A humourless chuckle was heard:
"Stall the council? Don't be ridiculous. Your investigation is over Vakarian." The executor answered with finality. Shepard could easily detect the anger and frustration emanating from the detective. When the door opened, a turian C-Sec officer, dressed in black and blue armor, came out. He had blue eyes and wore a visor on his left eye:
"You look like you are in a bit of a tough spot mate." Shepard, leaning on a wall with his arms folded to his chest, neutrally stated, surprising the turian. Garrus eyed first him, then the other 3 armed and armored humans for a bit, trying to figure out who they were. His eyes fell again on the commander, or more specifically, the symbol on his chest plate.
He knew about the infamous hunter division, hell, respected them more than the spectres. But watching one in the flesh, considering the important case regarding Saren going rogue, was too much of a coincidence:
"Detective Garrus Vakarian, is there something I can help you with?" He asked diplomatically:
"Saren Arterius evaded me in Eden Prime once. Are you willing to help me put him down for good?" Shepard asked back. Something clicked in the detective's mind. He have heard about the invasion of Eden Prime and made his own research, delving in some files he wasn't supposed to. If the data was to be trusted, the hunter in front of him was none other than...:
"You are commander Douglas Shepard." Garrus stated. His mandibles were slack and trembling nervously, and rightly so. While Shepard was a hero by coalition standards, he was considered too violent and aggressive by the majority of the council citizens, like the bastard offspring of a krogan, a vorcha, a batarian and a drunk asari. Most of these rumours were spread by batarians and quarians who had to undergo the 'Shepard regime of training' under the tutelage of the first generation special forces, and let's not forget the hegemony:
"Guilty as charged, so what's it going to be? Better choose fast because I have a to do list longer than a Francis fuckface Kitt play." Douglas retorted impatiently. Even his squad mates could understand that Garrus was uncomfortable. Still, he answered the question:
"Okay..., there is a volus financial advisor named Barla Von. He is an agent of the Shadow Broker and has information regarding Saren. Sadly, his services don't come cheap and I don't have the time to procure a warrant, so you're on your own. But judging by your reputation and heavy armaments, I think you've got this handled." Garrus answered, a bit more relaxed:
"Thank you kindly detective. Rest assured, we come in peace, so unless someone tries to act tough, there is nothing to worry about." Shepard said and left along with his squad. The turian officer just stayed there for a few seconds and exhaled:
"I find it really hard to believe." He monologued. Suddenly, his omnitool started beeping. It was the contact of doctor Chloe Michel, the owner of a clinic located in the upper wards. She patched him up one time after apprehending a violent criminal a couple of years ago and Garrus kept in touch ever since:
"Hello doctor, how are you... What?... Okay, I'm coming, just sit tight." He ended the call and started running...
Back to Shepard's squad...
"I see you are pretty famous around these parts skipper." Ashley quipped. The 4 were heading towards the merchant district and there were quite a few aliens who looked at them with distrust and suspicion:
"So true, and I don't have the faintest idea why. Maybe there's something wrong with my face? Or they don't like how I smell?" Shepard asked sarcastically, Jenkins and Williams laughed at his reply:
"Commander, is this really the best time to make jokes? I mean, the situation is serious." Kaidan voiced his concern:
"Quit your whining sushi dick, we still have time, there's no real need for formalities and protocol, just be casual, we're all friends here." Shepard commented. He started calling his squad by nicknames, Jenkins was 'Jar head', from the way his head looked like when bandaged up, Williams was just 'Ash', cute and simple, and Alenko had the bad luck of earning the moniker 'Sushi dick', because of his Japanese-Canadian ancestry. He didn't like being called like that, as it was betrayed by him glaring to Douglas:
"There it is commander, just like he said."
Jenkins pointed at the financial office where the volus advisor worked, effectively preventing the argument from happening:
"Ah, earth-clan, the one called Douglas Shepard. It is a great honor to meet a soldier of such exceptional skill." The short, round shaped alien greeted, breathing heavily at regular intervals:
"I see news travel really fast in this space station. Unfortunately, I have no time to waste. You know why I'm here and you know what I want, so start talking." Shepard ordered:
"Straight to business I see. Very well, as I am sure you are aware, I am indeed an agent of the Shadow Broker. You should look for Fist, he owns a club called Chora's Den in the lower wards, he knows who has the information you seek." Barla Von answered:
"I sense a but coming in." Ashley commented. The volus slowly nodded:
"Indeed. I don't know why, but Fist is apparently either stupid or greedy enough to betray the Shadow Broker. That's why a krogan mercenary was tasked to... how you say, make the problem vanish. You could use his help if you want it." He recommended:
"We are coalition soldiers, not thugs for hire." Alenko immediately protested. In the short time he spent with his new squad, Shepard figured out the overall personalities of his squad mates. Jenkins, enthusiastic, altruistic, courageus but naive. Williams, disciplined, stubborn, good at following orders and a capable leader, surprising why she didn't rise to the ranks. And finally Alenko, also disciplined, calm, focused, with extreme sense of integrity and honor, which clashed with Douglas's informal character, checkered past and unconventional modus operandi:
"Think of it as a temporary alignment of interests lieutenant. A win-win situation. It's obvious that Fist is far from a law abiding citizen. One less criminal to worry about and we get the intel we need to nail Saren." Shepard suggested:
"How do you know all that commander? You've been here before?" Jenkins curiously asked. 'BOLLOCKS!' Shepard thought. He read the mind of the volus to make sure he was truthful and let this detail slip. Not the first time it ever happened, so he quickly gave his explanation:
"Haven't you been paying attention corporal? Fist is obviously a criminal alias. Secondly, what kind of club owner works and then betrays the Shadow Broker? Someone ruthless who has a lot of guns, money and manpower, it's common sense." The commander explained with just a hint of annoyance. Jenkins slightly deflated and nodded:
"A very astute observation. Now that our business is concluded... wait, I see detective Vakarian is in a bit of trouble. Some of Fist's thugs are causing trouble at doctor Michel's clinic in the upper wards. It would be advantageous to help the good detective and disrupt Fist at the same time, don't you agree?" Barla Von reasoned, but Shepard didn't acknowledge it. He went rigid like a statue, eyes peeled open and focused at his omnipad:
"Uhhh, commander, are you alright?" Kaidan asked, slightly nervous. That did the trick, Douglas jolted back in reality:
"Thanks for the intel slick, we're leaving now. Try not to piss the wrong people off, peace out." He answered to the volus faster than a hyped salarian and left, his squadmates still staring at him:
"Jesus Christ, that guy speaks in like... 1 syllable per minute. Anyway let's... let's head to the clinic, on the double." Douglas spoke to no one in particular and hurriedly opened the map to find the target destination, moving quickly towards the lift without even checking if his squad was behind him. Williams, Alenko and Jenkins, still inside the building, looked at each other in confusion. Why was the commander behaving like that, what agitated him at such degree?:
"Is that a regular occurrence?" The volus, face expression unreadable due to the suit, asked:
"No, that's the first time he ever..." Williams was about to say until...:
"WHY IN THE WHITE HOT BURNING BLAZES ARE YOU STILL HERE YOU CUNTS? GET A FUCKING MOVE ON RIGHT NOW!" Douglas roared on top of his lungs, from outside, making the squad hastily scramble behind him and back to their objective.
A few minutes later, Dr Michel's clinic...
Thinks have turned very ugly really fast.
Outnumbered, outgunned and unable to call for backup due to the comms being jammed, Garrus was pinned down behind a counter:
"Come on out occifer, we just want to have a chat." A shotgun blast followed, tearing through another part of the wall Garrus took cover behind. The shooter's name was Knuckles, primary enforcer of Fist. Normally, the turian detective would make a quip about the dismal imagination affecting the naming department, if doctor Michel wasn't muzzled and kept at gunpoint by 4 more gang members:
"If you drop your weapon and surrender, we can talk as much as you want... in the safety and comfort of a jail cell." Garrus commented. The gangsters of course laughed at the show of defiance:
"Changed my mind, I'll just shoot you and be done with it, nobody's gonna miss you. BOYS, SMOKE THIS PUNK OUT!" Knuckles pointed his left hand to the barrier and 3 of his thugs, except the one who held the doctor hostage, advanced with their weapons drawn. Garrus knew that he could eliminate 1, or maybe 2 hostiles, but the shotgun wielding human was waiting for him to raise his head, fully aware that the 18 gauge slug could easily bypass the shields and blast the head of the C-Sec officer into a fine blue mist. The turian's eyes fell on a broken mirror in front of him. A bit of precision calculation, 2 quick pistol shots over the shoulder, and down goes the lead thug, forcing the others to back away and take cover:
"DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING MYSELF?" Knuckles roared and pulled out a grenade. He didn't have the chance to throw it, as an explosion cracked the clinic door open. Garrus saw the outlines of 4 human forms advancing through the dust and debris, weapons drawn. 1 lightning bolt, 2 short bursts of automatic fire and a shotgun blast later, only the hostage taker remained alive, but shaken:
"HEY, D... DON'T COME ANY CLOSER OR I SHOOT HER IN THE FACE!" She said, truly terrified, and held the doctor in a left arm choke hold, gun at the other. However, this last gangster made a fatal mistake. He focused only to the newcomers and ignored the turian officer. Garrus capitalised at that mistake and after taking quick and careful aim, he squeezed the trigger, sending a grain sized round right to her skull. With the last hostile taken care of and the dust settling down, the C-Sec detective still couldn't recognise the helmeted humans who assisted him. He rised from his cover:
"Hold fire, I'm a C-Sec officer... thanks for the distraction but you need to holster your weapons and identify yourselves." He ordered. He fell silent once he saw who his saviors were though:
"Wait, distraction? We practically saved your hide." Jenkins, now visible and helmet less, protested:
"Good to see you again corporal. Let me guess, Barla Von told you about my current predicament." Garrus said:
"That and a bunch of other stuff officer..."
While Leroy was recounting the squad's meeting with the volus accountant, Ashley helped the C-Sec officers with the bodies, Kaidan helped doctor Michel with the cuts and bruises she sustained during her captivity and Shepard was fiddling with the omnitool of the dead female gangster:
"Hey skipper, we are done with the clean up, what's next?" Williams requested new orders. Shepard lifted his head, crushed the omnitool in his fist and said smiling:
"Someone has a lot to answer for, plus how he managed to get his paws on an electronics jammer program designed and made by me. That little temper tantrum I had at the presidium? It's because I detected the signal. If that deadbeat had ANY idea how to use the program... she could shut down the whole Citadel in just a few minutes." Shepard answered, his smile not present anymore. Ashley and Kaidan, who was nearby, understood the possible troubles, the latter was even slightly impressed, given his specialisation in technology:
"Hey commander, Garrus says he wants to join us... hey!" Jenkins was taken aside by a 3 fingered claw like hand:
"I can talk for myself corporal, thank you very much. Commander, I'm coming with you. Fist surpassed every limit of clemency with his attempt of killing an officer and I want to put him down, same as you. Do you accept my services?" Garrus proposed. Shepard looked first at the turian, then to the female corpse and back to Garrus:
"You are expected to follow my orders if you want to join. Which means, no more one man army, lone warrior bullshit, comprende?" Shepard demanded:
"I didn't understand that last word, but I will follow your orders." The officer, after a brief moment of puzzlement, accepted the terms:
"Good. People, I know we only have 25 minutes until the council meeting, but Fist most likely knows we are coming for him. Detective, you have a good reputation in C-Sec, right?" Douglas asked:
"More or less, yes, I am respected among my colleagues, why?" Came the answer:
"Because we have to make a little stop the C-Sec atrium for reinforcements." Shepard said:
"Commander, before you go, I want thank you for saving my life, and that of Garrus too." Doctor Michel said with gratitude:
"No problem doc, but what exactly did these halfwits want from you?" Shepard asked:
"Yesterday, a quarian came here. She was shot and had a poisoned bullet lodged in her abdomen. Fortunately, she had her immunisation treatment, so I removed it without much issue. She told me that she held incriminating evidence against a rogue spectre, didn't say who. She was looking for a way to reach the council, but Fist has people looking for her." The doctor answered:
"Did you get her name?" Douglas interrupted:
"Yes, Tali'Zorah, I'm not sure if it's her real name though." That earned a blink from the commander:
"Really? Tali'Zorah, that's what she said?" The commander asked:
"Yes, that's what she told me. Do you know her?" Michel asked:
"Let's say we are acquainted. Anyway, thanks for the information, we should go now." Shepard cryptically answered and walked out through the busted door, soon followed by the rest. Kaidan lagged behind, apologising for the destroyed door and wishing quick recovery to the doctor, earning a smile in response...
2 minutes later, Citadel Security atrium...
"Witnesses saw you making threats in Fist's bar. Stay away from him." A human officer was imposing, with little success, to a battle scarred krogan in red armor, 2 armed turian officers behind it:
"I don't take orders from you." The old reptile answered:
"This is your only warning Wrex." The officer continued, never breaking eye contact with the krogan, despite being at least a head shorter:
"You should warn Fist. I will kill him." Wrex
threatened, making the human take a step back:
"Do you want me to arrest you?" The officer made a last attempt of intimidation, only making Wrex chuckle a bit:
"Hah, I want you to try." Before it could escalate further, someone who was watching decided to intervene:
"Now that's a real shame. Not only C-Sec protects criminals, but it's also unable to intimidate a lone krogan. Fucking disgraceful in my humble opinion." They all turned to the source of the voice, a group of 4 heavily armed human soldiers and a turian C-Sec officer. The 2 turians, cleverly, stood behind the, now amused and intrigued Wrex, while the human officer came face to face with Shepard:
"I don't know what kind of drugs you're on, but this is the citadel, not coalition space.
Which means you can't justGHHHH..." A hand, gripping his throat tightly, didn't allow the officer to continue:
"Can't do WHAT? Uncover a crooked cop?"
Shepard said with a sneer. While the C-Sec officer was desperately trying to break the grip on his neck, the human hunter used his free arm to search his pockets. A few seconds later, he found a credit chit:
"Would you look at that. A 10 grand credit chit. Someone's building one hell of a retirement fund, huh?" Douglas made a snide remark, while the officer was now pale as a ghost. Finally, the grip went slack and, after a series of coughs and hacks, the victim stood upright, only for a gun to aim at him:
"Sergeant Bastian Mulder, you are under arrest. You are accused for accepting bribes, extortion, illegal suppression of evidence, obstruction of justice and off duty misconduct..." After finishing with the 'arrest speech' and seizing the evidence, Garrus escorted the protesting suspect to the cells, along with Jenkins for additional backup:
"That was interesting, but who are you? I think I saw you somewhere before." The krogan lumbered towards the human commander with a curious look:
"Some call me the crazy brit, others call me the butcher of Torfan, there are those who call me lion of Elysium, survivor of Akuze or gunslinger Doug. Sounds familiar?" Douglas said:
"Yes, I remember now. You are commander Douglas Shepard, of the hunter division. I have heard a lot about you, some even say that you killed a thresher maw alone and on foot. I respect you Shepard, so I'm giving you a fair warning. I am going to kill Fist." Wrex answered:
"I couldn't care less if you want to plug your bolt up his ass, nothing is going to happen to him until I get the information I need. You can tag along if you want, just don't kill him too soon." Shepard bluntly said. The best way to deal with krogan is to be straightforward:
"My people have a saying. Seek the enemy of your enemy and you will find a friend. I think we could get along Shepard."
Wrex replied:
"Your people are wise, and so are you. Welcome to the team." Shepard shook hands with the krogan:
"Fist likely knows we're coming commander. Should we wait for Leroy and
Garrus to join us?" Kaidan asked:
"No need lieutenant, I could easily take his goons out alone. But it's better to kill bad guys with good company. Am I right Williams?" Douglas asked with a wink:
"That's... not how I would have put it commander, but I agree." The slightly blushing gunnery chief agreed:
"Let's get going then. I don't want to keep Fist waiting." Wrex said impatiently. Shepard nodded and the squad proceeded to their next target, Chora's Den, after sending a message to the 2 missing squad members to meet them there when done. Soon, the neon sign of a reclining asari signified their arrival to the destination:
"Kaidan, check for cameras, Ash, status update on Leroy and Garrus, Wrex, make sure there are no civilians close by." The team acknowledged and went to accomplish their given tasks:
"Now to see what you're hiding Fist." Shepard monologued and closed his eyes.
His psychic powers detected at least 20 armed hostiles and no civilians. They were dug in and covered behind walls and tables, all pointing towards the entry:
"Pfft, like I would take the front entrance." Shepard monologued again and waited for his teammates to return. He briefed them to the plan, blowing up a wall and catching the hostiles off guard. While Wrex was enthusiastic at the prospect of blowing stuff up and Ashley approved for the surprise and fear it would instill, Kaidan wasn't that happy:
"Plastic explosives aren't powerful enough to destroy the wall, so we have to use these, can you handle it Alenko?" Shepard gave 2 circular devices to Kaidan, both him and Williams recognised them:
"Are these plasma charges? Never imagined I would see them in person." She said enthusiastically:
"Commander, we can't use this kind of ordnance in a civilian area, this is council space and..." The lieutenant was interrupted by a slightly angry commander:
"Enough is enough sushi dick. I am the one in charge, so we do things my way. Now be a proper disciplined and obedient zipper head like the rest of your lot and do as I say." Shepard threatened in a low tone, clearly annoyed by the constant protests. Alenko finally relented and did as ordered. Then they all took position away from the blast zone, weapons in arm and waited for a few seconds...
Meanwhile, in Chora's Den...
"The welcoming committee is set boss. Anyone who gets in through the front door will be shot to ribbons." One of Fist's thugs reported to his boss. The human gang leader nodded and shooed him away without a word. Fist grabbed a data pad, before managing to read the first sentence and a loud hissing sound, followed by an explosion violently shook the club. After the shockwave dissipated, screams could be heard as they were drowned by the ensuing gunfire, explosions and sounds of breaking furniture. 10 seconds later, and silence ensued. Fist heard his office door opening, along with footsteps. Without looking, he crawled out of the battered table and tried to reach for the emergency button to activate the defence turrets, only for a bullet to sever some of his fingers, in which he shouted in pain:
"I'm sorry for busting in, but we really need to have a chat." Shepard said sarcastically, smirk hidden behind his helmet, revolver still smoking:
"YOU FUCKING LUNATIC, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TROUBLE YOU'RE GETTING INTO!" Fist screamed while clutching his bloody hand. The one who shot him made a hand gesture and the 2 humans of his team grabbed him and put his back against the wall:
"That's where you're wrong you pint sized prick, I know exactly what I'm getting into. Now, I have a question that needs answering. You will answer the question in a way I find satisfactory. Make it quick if you cherish your kneecaps... Where is the quarian?"
The interrogator didn't raise his voice at all, but Fist was warily eying the revolver he held:
"I can't tell you, they will kill me if I... AAAAGH fuck!" Another shot took out his big right toe, the 2 humans didn't let him drop:
"They are not here, I am. You sent your thugs to search for a quarian in doctor Michel's clinic. She escaped and is currently hiding somewhere in the ward. Now tell me where she is before I lose my patience." The black armor clad human closed the distance, his insignia now visible, and aimed the revolver point blank at Fist's knee:
"AAAHHH, PLEASE STOP, I WILL TALK! The quarian hid in the ducts. She wants to meet a coalition official to deliver some evidence against Saren. His mercenaries managed to contact her and she agreed to meet them in the alleyway near here. You can catch up if you hurry, please don't kill me." Fist spoke as quickly as he could, aware of meaning of that symbol:
"You made the smart choice, which means I am not going to kill you." The hunter picked up the data pad that Fist was reading, then ordered his team to follow him, dropping Fist on the floor. For a moment, the mob boss felt elated and started laughing hysterically, happy that he was spared. Until he saw a red clad krogan aiming at him with a shotgun...
30 seconds later, outside Chora's Den...
"Is that how you handle criminals in coalition space? Do you accept turians with 5 years of experience in your police force?" Garrus joked, after he saw the gung-ho brand of justice that Shepard delivered:
"Mostly and no. Anyway, how did your task go?" Shepard asked. The turian's dejected look was a good enough answer:
"He was prepared commander. He claimed he was working undercover and spilled some secrets on various criminals. They let him go free and changed his post." Jenkins answered, also disappointed:
"Don't we have a job to do? If what Fist told us is true, our lead doesn't have long."
Ashley reminded Douglas about their next objective:
"You're right, I would hate to miss the show. Okay people, get a move on." Shepard announced and led the way, his team puzzled at his choice of words. A little later, they found half a dozen people dressed as C-Sec officers talking with a quarian wearing a purple and black skintight suit and hood. Shepard ordered his team to stay put and out of sight, keep their weapons down and silently observe the meeting:
"Did you bring it?" The leader of the team, a turian with white markings came close to her, his tone friendly:
"Where is the commissioner? I was very amadant that he was to meet me in person." The quarian responded in a voice that Douglas knew very well, a wry smile forming on his lips:
"We are here to escort you to him ma'am. If you please follow us..." The leader started touching her, like he was searching for weapons or something else, but the quarian knocked his hand away:
"No way, the deal is off. Don't call me again." She said. The rest of the impostors went for their guns, but in a display of superior training and reflexes, the quarian threw an explosive device, killing 2 enemies and wounding the leader, then pulled out a shotgun, shooting the others before they could recover from the shock wave. Then, she kneeled on the survivor's throat and asked who he was working for. The turian couldn't speak due to collapsed lungs, so the quarian pulled her boot knife and finished him off. A slow clap made her tense up and turn:
"Good to see I didn't train you for nothing Zorah. Would be a sad waste to wait until I could retrain you again." Shepard humoured as he saw the, now visible, Tali Zorah. Her silver eyes and mouth were wide open and then she stood a bit straighter in attention. Some habits die hard:
"Commander Shepard, Tali Zorah reporting." She saluted, making Shepard laugh and salute back:
"There's no need for that anymore. And you earned the right to call me just Shepard after your little display here. LADS, YOU CAN COME OUT NOW." The squad assembled again. The atmosphere was jovial as they accomplished their objective with no friendly or civilian casualties:
"What you did was amazing, who trained you?" Jenkins asked. Tali just showed the commander, who was busy making some calls, over her shoulder:
"Gotta admit, I like your style quarian. If you are half as good as Shepard, we will do just fine." Wrex complimented Tali:
"Commander, we still have 7 minutes left. Shall we go to the embassy?" Ashley reminded. Shepard checked his omnipad:
"You're right I would hate to keep them waiting. Also, I'm itching to learn what kind of evidence we got."
Back in the human embassy...
"You are not making my job any easier Shepard. Gunfights in the citadel? Explosions in the wards? An all out assault at Chora's Den? Do you have any idea how many..." Udina was pacing back and forth while chastising the commander:
"Shut up Udina! We got the job done and with no innocent casualties. Let alone all the help we picked along the way." Shepard showed his team. Udina tried to ignore the insult and looked at the strange band of humans and xenos. Would be easier for Shepard to gain spectre status if he was willing to work with citadel races. The quarian's presence would further improve humanity's standing with the quarian democracies. The krogan mercenary looked like a valuable asset too. 150000 funds would be enough for his services and whatever interesting information:
"Insults aside, you said you have proof that prove Saren's guilt. May I see it?"
Udina asked as politely as he could:
"I ripped it out of a geth memory core shortly after the attack on Eden Prime. I was quick enough and lucky enough to keep it from being wiped. Listen..." Tali fiddle a bit with her omnitool and...:
"Eden Prime has been a major victory. It brings us 1 step closer to finding the Conduit." An electronic voice, which clearly belonged to Saren Arterius, was heard:
"And one step closer to the return of the Reapers." Another voice answered, this one female. While the listeners were happy that they got real proof against the rogue spectre, questions formed in their minds:
"Conduit? Reapers? What are they talking about?" Kaidan asked, to no one in particular. No one had the answer:
"I don't recognise that other voice, but
we have the necessary evidence. Captain Anderson will join us in the council chambers. The meeting starts in 3 minutes, so I suggest we get there." Udina announced. Shepard nodded and they all moved to the elevator. While the citadel elevators were roomy enough for the the squad and Udina, the music was annoying and the speed low. It took a whole minute and still had way to go:
"Brace yourselves." Before anyone could ask, Shepard pressed a few buttons on his omnipad and the elevetor rocketed towards the top, those who didn't heed his warning lost their balance, Tali yelped, Garrus crashed on Ashley and Udina fell flat on his ass. They reached their destination, the human ambassador dusted himself, and Shepard went straight to captain Anderson:
"I take you have accomplished your objective. Saren is already talking to the council through the communicator. It won't save him though." He said:
"We have Saren on tape characterising Eden Prime as a victory. He is pretty much done for. On a side note, is he here?" Shepard asked quietly. Instead of an answer, someone touched on the shoulder from behind. He didn't bother turning as he knew what was happening, but rolled his eyes:
"You really enjoy this, don't you?" Douglas asked the cloaked, and not so dead spectre:
"Shepard, Anderson, the meeting is starting." Udina announced. The 2 hunters followed, behind them the whole squad. Everyone more or less had a reason to want Saren taken down and didn't want to miss the show. They all entered the meeting grounds. Around them, the room was filled with cherry trees. They had to walk up the stairs but the councillors still had the higher ground:
"Inferiority complex much?" Shepard monologued, Ashley and Tali heard him and chuckled a bit. Finally, they reached the podium, captain Anderson, ambassador Udina and commander Shepard in the front. Next to the councillors was the hologram of Saren Arterius, who was transmitting live to the meeting:
"We agree to meet today to address 2 important issues. The loss of the beacon in Eden Prime and the claims that Saren Arterius, top spectre of the citadel, conspired with the geth in order to destroy the colony. Ambassador Udina, what do you have to say?" Councillor Tevos started the hearing officially:
"Councillors, Saren Arterius entered coalition space without a hunter escort, thus breaking the agreed regulations, and led a geth force to raze Eden Prime and kill many coalition citizens. Had commander Shepard and his squad not arrived, the whole colony would be destroyed because of the high yield explosive devices he planted. The coalition demands him to be stripped of his spectre status and be flagged as a terrorist and fugitive of the law." Udina demanded. Shepard inwardly admitted that old rat face had a gift with words:
"While the geth attack is a matter of some concern, there is nothing indicating that Saren was involved or even present near coalition space." Tevos immediately retorted:
"The investigation by citadel security didn't turn up any evidence to support your charge of treason." Councillor Sparatus added:
"An eyewitness saw him killing Nihlus, his fellow spectre and mentor, in cold blood. Saren shot him in the back of the head with a poison round." Udina insisted:
"We've read the reports ambassador. The testimony of a traumatised dockworker is hardly compelling proof." Councillor Valern
shot back. They really didn't want Saren to be proven guilty:
"I resent these accusations. Nihlus was a fellow spectre. And a friend." Saren said through the hologram. Judging from the side of it, someone was over compensating:
"A friend that you caught off guard." Anderson couldn't keep his cool anymore:
"Ah, captain Anderson. Always present when humanity makes false accusations against me. And this must be your protégé, commander Shepard, the one who let the beacon get destroyed." Saren retorted immediately:
"Couldn't accomplish it without your excellent assistance asswipe. How is your hand by the way?" Shepard taunted. He could swear that his comment made Saren pop a vein:
"Shifting the blame to cover your own failures. Anderson taught you well. But what can you expect from a human?" Saren remarked smugly. Time to bring the noise:
"On the contrary, you bareface wanker, I was literally tearing the citadel apart searching for proof. Didn't take much for to Fist squeal in the end. Udina, let them hear it." Shepard ordered. The ambassador obliged immediately and activated his omnitool. Saren's attitude disappeared after he heard his own words calling Eden Prime a victory. He wouldn't give up that easy though:
"You must be really desperate Anderson. Making such a pathetic forgery just to sound relevant. I don't know what kind of mental issues you got over the years, but maybe you should consider retiring." Saren tried to deny the charges again, but the councillors started to doubt their top agent. Shepard laughed loudly, earning curious looks from everyone around, except Anderson:
"Commander Shepard, I fail to find your reason of amusement, can you explain yourself?" Tevos asked. Douglas looked at her and pointed his thumb at Saren's hologram:
"Gotta give it to the stubborn bastard, his is more persistent than herpes. Too bad that another eyewitness saw him at Eden Prime. AND HE IS RIGHT HERE!" Shepard showed the empty space next to him. Suddenly, a figure materialised right there, causing Saren, the councillors, Udina and Shepard's squad gasp:
"Sorry for my unauthorised entry councillors, but this is too important to wait. Saren Arterius was in Eden Prime. He claimed that he was there to assist, but he shot me as soon as I turned my back. Hadn't it been for commander Shepard's timely intervention and the excellent health care in the Normandy, I would be dead." The not so dead spectre said to the council, without even looking at his mentor and former friend. It took some time for the councillors to shake off the shock, but they reached an agreement:
"The evidence is irrefutable. Saren Arterius, you are hereby stripped of your spectre status along with the rights and privileges associated with your title." Sparatus announced, angry at the fact that one of his own people turned traitor:
"THIS CHANGES NOTHING! SOON YOU WILL ALL WITNESS THE POWER OF THE REAPERS! ONLY I CAN SAVE YOU FROM THEIR WRATH!" Saren threatened the participants before disconnecting:
"Well, now what? Who is going to catch the bad guy?" Shepard sarcastically asked:
"There is another matter we need to discuss first. That second voice at the recording. It was matriarch Benezia T'Soni, a wise and respected leader of my people." Tevos said:
"Which means Saren's corruption runs deep to be able getting an asari matriarch in the fold. Do you have any other leads?" Udina tried to get more details:
"Only spectres are entitled to that kind of information. Your kind got one thing right and you demand..." Sparatus angrily retorted:
"Hey, whoa, calm down councillor, anger can be bad for your health. There are too many unanswered questions about Saren, his army of geth, Benezia, the conduit and the reapers, whatever the fuck these last 2 things could be. No need to burden yourself with additional stress. Just leave it to me, Nihlus and my squad. We will bring you the big bad traitor in birthday wrapping and all will be fine and dandy."
Shepard interjected with as much decorum as he could muster. Sparatus couldn't come with an appropriate answer and stood quiet. Douglas was about to turn and leave but someone stopped him:
"Wait commander Shepard. While your manners are rough and your race is still young, you proved your competence, both by saving a spectre and finding proof against Saren. Councillors, I think he is suitable for the spectres." Valern said:
"WHAT? You are not seriously considering it..." Sparatus was livid:
"Please quiet down councillor. Commander Shepard, step forward." Tevos ordered. Douglas did as told, inwardly praying there wasn't going to be a long speech in his initiation. Too bad that was exactly the case and there were dozens of eyes watching and waiting in anticipation:
"It is the decision of the council that you be granted all the rights and privileges of the special tactics and reconnaissance branch of the citadel." Tevos started, while Shepard internally groaned:
"Spectres are not trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle..." Valern continued, but Douglas couldn't take it anymore:
"Yeah, yeah, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah whatever. Time's a wasting and I have a rogue spectre to catch, so go pester Udina, buh bye." Shepard interrupted the speech, waved his hand over his shoulder and left along with his squad. When the shock receded, Tevos was furious, Valern wide eyed and Sparatus looked ready to blow a gasket:
"Captain Anderson, the council requires you for a matter of importance. Everyone else is free to go. This meeting is adjourned." Tevos ordered. Less than a minute, and Anderson was alone with the councillors. He knew what they wanted to talk about:
"Captain Anderson, you are the one who trained commander Shepard, correct?" Tevos asked:
"Only unofficially, for 3 years since he was 15." Anderson answered:
"What exactly were you teaching him?" Valern asked:
"While the specifics are classified, I taught him close quarters combat, firearm training with live ammo, extreme survival in different environments, medicine, engineering, scouting, reconnaissance, sabotage and assassination, which are the basics in the actual hunter training." Anderson answered truthfully:
"Didn't you teach him anything about military etiquette or discipline? His insolence and behavior would guarantee nothing less than life imprisonment or capital punishment had he been in the turian blackwatch or any other council species elite unit." Sparatus, with barely contained anger, stated. Anderson shook his head and chuckled:
"He received worse than capital punishment councillor. He underwent the 'Cancer removal' training. Again, no specifics, but I supervised him as he went through the most brutal and cruel regime in the galaxy. It comes with 45 percent lethality rate and is exclusively used abd designed to break rebellious characters. Starvation, exposure to the worst elements of nature, days without sleep, even a week of training in the Chernobyl irradiated zone. I threatened to put him under more of this, do you know what he said?" Anderson asked. Tevos was slightly more sympathetic after what she heard, even Sparatus deflated a bit:
"What did he say?" Valern asked, more interested in this treasure trove of information:
"He grinned to me and said 'Yes please'. That's when I understood. Commander Shepard is unbreakable. He doesn't care how high you are in the ranks, or how many men, guns, money and power you possess. Threats, scolding and demands for respect and subordination are hollow to him. On the contrary, he laughs at these attempts. Don't mistake his attitude for lack of discipline or intelligence, because he has both in very large quantities." The captain stated. The councillors talked a bit in hushed tones, then turned back to Anderson:
"What do you suggest we do with him then? Surely, we can't have him disrespect us in front of everyone like this." Tevos asked. The captain clapped his hands once:
"Now you are asking the right question. There are 2 possible ways. First, you can act all professional and straightforward. Which means, you give him a mission, the necessary details and the means to complete it. Nothing more, nothing less. It won't be enough to earn his respect, but at least he will be polite and professional." Anderson proposed:
"And what's the other option?" Tevos asked:
"The other way is a bit complicated. You have to come in sync with his way of thinking. Try to be more friendly and sarcastic, but stay straightforward. Also, remember that his greatest weakness is boredom. Without a mission, he will do whatever he thinks best in order to alleviate it." The human captain finished:
"Thank you for the information captain. You may leave now." Tevos said:
"No, not yet, one last question. From what I understand, Shepard doesn't fight because it's his duty, he doesn't look like he derives any sort of pleasure out of it either. Why does he fight then?" Sparatus asked:
"Friends, family and fellow soldiers. That's why he fights." Anderson answered and left without waiting for permission. The councillors again discussed this new information. Now they had some ideas about keeping Shepard in the fold. Little did they know, 2 separate camouflaged entities saw and heard everything.
Meanwhile, back in the human embassy...The squad reaction to Shepard's dynamic exit was mixed. While Wrex, Ashley, Leroy and Tali praised him for putting those arrogant, lily livered, hoity toity, miserable rodent analogues to their place, Kaidan, Garrus and, especially, Nihlus warned him to be careful. Shepard's answer to why he did what he did came quickly:
"They are lucky I didn't downright flip them of and insult their mothers. Especially that turian bastard Sparatus. First they treat me and Anderson like we come straight from the nuthouse for blaming Saren, then they give me a shiny spectre badge and good for nothing speech, bloody useless mongrel pieces of shit." He angrily cussed:
"Still, they are just doing their job commander, no need to make a tough job a lot harder." Kaidan reasoned. The newly appointed spectre huffed once:
"Just needed to let it out sushi dick. Anyway, captain Anderson said that he will put me in charge of the Normandy. Now, from what I can see we have a pretty decent task force. Who can guess what the next step is?" Shepard quizzed:
"A team building exercise?" Garrus asked:
"A team name?" Jenkins talked before Douglas could answer:
"Same armor color pattern?" Tali joked:
"Better guns?" Wrex asked. Shepard showed the krogan to the rest of the squad:
"That's the right answer. Sometimes the best answer to any problem comes from the barrel of a high quality firearm. I brought a little something aboard the Normandy which can help with all our killing needs." Shepard said and motioned his squad to follow.
ANNo, I am not dead yet, but things have been getting ugly out there. First the virus, then the crazy sultan wannabe in the eastand to top all that, 2 weeks of no electronics vacation. Sure, I don't mind camping and wilderness activities at all, but it was kind of the reason I couldn't keep writing. Anyway, here's the next part, hope the idiot in the east doesn't declare a war on us.
